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They Just Wanted to Kill Us’: a Harrowing Account From Ukraine

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In "The Theater," the journalist James Verini recounts the bombing of a performing arts space turned refugee shelter in the middle of war-torn Mariupol. James Verini James Verini in Kherson, Ukraine, June 2023 Occupations Journalist and author Web Review By Caroline Alexander Caroline Alexander is the author, most recently, of “Skies of Thunder: The Deadly World War II Mission Over the Roof of the World.” Her translation of the “Odyssey” will be published next year. May 18, 2026 Updated 2:41 p.m. ET In the pre-dawn hours of Feb. 24, 2022, Russian forces laid siege to Mariupol — “the city of Mary” — an important port on the southeastern coast of Ukraine. Russian artillery began pounding its eastern outskirts, while Russian bombers targeted power plants and railways. Within two weeks the city’s inhabitants had lost electricity, water and fuel, and Mariupol was transformed from what one resident described as a “blooming” city into a place of infinite menace whose people scrabble...
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The arrival of spring in Ukraine

  AI Overview The arrival of spring has significantly improved both daily life and tactical conditions in Ukraine .  Kyiv residents are enjoying restored electricity, parks, and vibrant cafe terraces following the harsh winter. On the military front, Ukraine’s extensive use of drones has successfully blunted the Russian spring-summer offensive and established deep "kill zones". [ 1 ,  2 ,  3 ] The shift in momentum has been documented by analysts and news outlets tracking the conflict: [ 1 ] Deep-Strike Campaign:  Ukraine has intensified its mid-to-deep-range strikes, successfully targeting Russian oil refineries, air defense systems, and military logistics nodes far behind the front lines. By some estimates, these strikes have forced significant drops in Russian refining capacity and inflicted billions in economic damage.  [ 1 ,  2 ,  3 ] Front Line Developments:  Ukrainian forces have successfully repelled relentless Russian assaults across...
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Warm weather and battlefield success have infused Ukraine’s capital city with optimism, even as bombs fall Rescuers work at a residential building after Russian strikes in Kyiv.   Roman Pilipey/ AFP/ Getty Images May 18, 2026 *** AI Overview Warm spring weather and strategic battlefield gains, such as a major deep-strike campaign and repelled Russian assaults on the front lines, have brought a palpable wave of optimism to Kyiv. Reliable electricity and bustling bar terraces have returned, even as regular air raid alarms and aerial strikes continue.   WSJ  +2 The mood on the ground represents a stark contrast to the grueling, blackout-plagued winter:   WSJ Urban Revival:  With repairs bringing power back to the grid, residents are no longer relying on diesel generators, and city elevators, boilers, and streetlights are fully operational.   WSJ Outdoor Activity:  Parks and bar terraces are buzzing into late evenings as locals soak up the sun after surviv...
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